I just acquired a great old Sauer cape gun and inlaid in the stock is a small (ivory?) button that says "R. Muller Strand St. Cape Town". Just wondering who he is and why its there. Any ideas?



P.S. Took it out this a.m. and shot a couple of squirrels (a right and a left ) with it. First one at about 20yds with the 9X57r and the second a few seconds later with the 12ga and #6 shot. Can't wait for turkey season in 10 days! This is definately going back to Zim with me for birds and medium game.

Importer of fine goods and trading store.
Might have served as an outfitter to traveling parties and pioneering families etc.

Was it common to have put an emblem in the stock of guns that he sold (or rented)? Personal gun? Any idea what years he had his shop?

Excellent all-purpose piece.

Love your signature line:

"The problem with quoting info from the internet is that you can never be sure it is accurate" Abraham Lincoln

They appear to have been trading around the turn of the century and have quite a few mentions in relation to Pianos too.

Yes it was common practice to place a name plaque in the stock or engraved on the peice.
They were the contracted importers of the pieces they sold and were as such almost a brand name i0n their own represented by the quality of the imports.

As a side note the well regarded Piano manufacturer, Heuer, made its beginnings in Mullers. He served as their workshop foreman before setting up his own factory.

Some of the brand names they seem to have held were

Wagner Pianos
Meffert Arms

It was common practice going back to the arrival of the 1820 settlers for an importer to bring in products under contract with foreign manufacturers. Many without branding on them.
You can still find many unbranded shotguns originating from Birmingham makers as well as french makers around the country.

African Hunter Quest is correct.

Muller's as they were known was a music store for Professional and amateur musicians specializing in Pianos.

The original outlet was in Strand Street Cape town and I believe they operated untill closure in 1976. They were a Cape Town early Cape Town Fixture just like the original Stutafords, Morkels and WM Rawbone and sons.

There are many South African homes who still have a R Muller branded upright in the house.

Muller I suspect originally German immigrant had a strong connection with Germany and was the Imman Meffert and also other Suhl gunmaker importer into South Africa. At one time they brought in German Pianos and over time also became agents for Locally made pianos made by other German immigrants such as Dietman of Wellington.

The round disc with the R Muller Strand street stamped or engraved typical for arms sold by this store.